Action Design

It has occurred to me that virtually all modern BR actions are designed either around a Remington 700 footprint or around a Remington style bolt. Single shot solid bottom actions have no need for such a long bolt travel. the Remington style bolt makes use of a very long ignition system that has a longer lock-time and greater mass in moving components than would otherwise be necessary. If only an action could be devised from scratch around a flawless ignition system...

I prefer long actions so when you throat the gun out for big heavy bullets, you can get the loaded round out the gun. In BR the longer bolt doesn't hurt. Lock time doesn't mean much. That's why most BR guys found the lightweight firing pin springs and pins hurt accuracy. Matt

It has occurred to me that virtually all modern BR actions are designed either around a Remington 700 footprint or around a Remington style bolt. Single shot solid bottom actions have no need for such a long bolt travel. the Remington style bolt makes use of a very long ignition system that has a longer lock-time and greater mass in moving components than would otherwise be necessary. If only an action could be devised from scratch around a flawless ignition system...

Perfection can be had only through letting go of flawed systems.

Scott Parker

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Scott,
The solution is extremely simple:
it is to get rid of the shroud cocking system who compels to have the trigger far to the rear as it is for repeaters.
Using the closed bolt system allow a much shorter action and lighter striker mass in motion.
Such an action is some 3/4 inch shorter than a "conventional' Short Action and could be even shorter for usual BR calibres.
You perfectly know such a solution exist for Long Range single shot action and suffice to adapt it to accept Remington-type aftermrket triggers.
R.G.C

Going outside the box on this one, Dusty. How about a solenoid-based ignition system? The bolt body serves as shell of the solenoid, and the moveable core, has a short pin attached to fire the primer. The core sits inside the front of the body and doesn't have to be large or move very far. The remaining space would be used for the electronics, and to house a small but powerful Lithium Hydride rechargeable battery. Access to the internal parts and the battery compartment would be through the back of the bolt's body. The trigger for such a system is just a switch that when touched completes the bolt's circuit "firing" it.

2.0 Replace existing spring based system with a self-contained solenoid-based one. Current trigger's sear would act as a switch when it is pulled.

Everything would look and function the same as what we use today. A ton of details need to be addressed, but what do you think?

Scott,
The solution is extremely simple:
it is to get rid of the shroud cocking system who compels to have the trigger far to the rear as it is for repeaters.
Using the closed bolt system allow a much shorter action and lighter striker mass in motion.
Such an action is some 3/4 inch shorter than a "conventional' Short Action and could be even shorter for usual BR calibres.
You perfectly know such a solution exist for Long Range single shot action and suffice to adapt it to accept Remington-type aftermrket triggers.
R.G.C

EtronX by remington, zero lock time, no moving parts, should be just what the doctor ordered, but it didn't catch on. Seems like kinda what you're looking for.

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A friend of mine still has one of these along with a bunch of primers. He doesn't use it anymore, preferring instead to use his regular rifles. According to him he just didn't see any advantage and primers were more expensive.

You do know we have to do more work to the shorter actions to get the ignition energy needed for top accuracy? I dont use the shorter actions for that reason. Standard short action length or longer, otherwise your adding weight to the firing pin. Lock time has little to do with accuracy, its a sales gimmick. Look at any of the leading edge rifles that are setting group records, especially long range. You will see a trend for more ignition energy and increased lock time VS less and shorter. I increase lock time and energy on almost every rifle I build.

You do know we have to do more work to the shorter actions to get the ignition energy needed for top accuracy? I dont use the shorter actions for that reason. Standard short action length or longer, otherwise your adding weight to the firing pin. Lock time has little to do with accuracy, its a sales gimmick. Look at any of the leading edge rifles that are setting group records, especially long range. You will see a trend for more ignition energy and increased lock time VS less and shorter. I increase lock time and energy on almost every rifle I build.

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No doubt in the benchrest and f class games lock time needs to take a back seat to optimal ignition energy. When the rifle is fired from the less than steady positions encountered in NRA Highpower, PRS, etc... lock time and the shortening of it would seem to be beneficial. I think the solenoid system as explained above or an electronic system would enable the best of both worlds. A way to optimize primer impact energy and get the minimum lock time possible. It seems to me this would be the next big step in rifle action design and a big payday for the one who perfects and patents it.

No doubt in the benchrest and f class games lock time needs to take a back seat to optimal ignition energy. When the rifle is fired from the less than steady positions encountered in NRA Highpower, PRS, etc... lock time and the shortening of it would seem to be beneficial. I think the solenoid system as explained above or an electronic system would enable the best of both worlds. A way to optimize primer impact energy and get the minimum lock time possible. It seems to me this would be the next big step in rifle action design and a big payday for the one who perfects and patents it.

Click to expand...

True, it would seem that way. However in practice even rifles shot from position do not seem to suffer from lock time. MAYBE in the the standing position you might see it if your good.

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